Nepotism is the unfair use of power in order to get jobs or other benefits for your family or friends.
[disapproval]
Many will regard his appointment as the kind of nepotism British banking ought toavoid.
Synonyms: favouritism, bias, patronage, preferential treatment More Synonyms of nepotism
nepotism in British English
(ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm)
noun
favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence
Derived forms
nepotic (nɪˈpɒtɪk) or nepotistic (ˌnepoˈtistic)
adjective
nepotist (ˈnepotist)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Italian nepotismo, from nepotenephew, from the former papal practice of granting special favours to nephews or other relatives
nepotism in American English
(ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm)
noun
favoritism shown to relatives, esp. in appointment to desirable positions
Derived forms
nepotist (ˈnepotist)
noun
nepotistic (ˌnepoˈtistic)
adjective
Word origin
Fr népotisme < It nepotismo < nepote, nephew < L nepos (gen. nepotis), grandson, nephew: from favoritism shown to “nephews” by medieval prelates
Examples of 'nepotism' in a sentence
nepotism
There is no room for nepotism or favouritism.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Opponents accuse him of corruption and nepotism.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Many people think this is negative because they confuse nepotism with corruption.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The young have become powerful leaders against the corruption, nepotism and cronyism in their countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Numerous voters yesterday cited corruption, nepotism and growing lawlessness as factors influencing them to switch sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A number of officials succumbed to nepotism and corruption.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But can nepotism breed corruption?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The audit found that official records were'lost in a swamp' and that nepotism was rife.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But the more votes it receives, the more the possibility of the emergence of an alternative government that will clamp down on corruption and nepotism.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Not to have democratic rights is, almost inevitably, accompanied by the humiliations of nepotism and corruption.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
(noun)
Definition
favouritism shown to relatives and friends by those with power
They protested at what they described as nepotism and corruption in the government.
Synonyms
favouritism
Accusations of political favouritism abound.
bias
There were fierce attacks on the BBC for alleged political bias.
patronage
a system based on corruption and political patronage
preferential treatment
partiality
The judge was accused of partiality.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bias
Definition
mental tendency, esp. prejudice
There were fierce attacks on the BBC for alleged political bias.
Synonyms
prejudice,
leaning,
bent,
tendency,
inclination,
penchant,
intolerance,
bigotry,
propensity,
favouritism,
predisposition,
nepotism,
unfairness,
predilection,
proclivity (formal),
partiality,
narrow-mindedness,
proneness,
one-sidedness
in the sense of partiality
The judge was accused of partiality.
Synonyms
bias,
preference,
prejudice,
favouritism,
predisposition,
partisanship
in the sense of patronage
a system based on corruption and political patronage